Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, has pleasant weather conditions almost all year round. Thus, there is not really a period to avoid when planning your trip.
In this article, we will talk about when is the best time to visit Lisbon.
When to go to Lisbon: the best periods
The capital of Portugal enjoys a temperate climate that is described as the Mediterranean.
It has hot, dry summers and mild, relatively rainy winters. Due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the city has mild temperatures, whatever the season.
The best time to go to Lisbon is from May to October.
This is when the climate is most favorable with sunny weather and pleasant heat. Rains are almost absent, especially in July and August.
Because of the summer vacations, the period from mid-June to September is the most popular with tourists.
Here is some general information about the weather in Lisbon to help you find the best time for your trip:
- 👌 Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- 🔥 Hottest months: July, August and September
- 🌵 Dry months: June, July and August
- ☔️ Rainy months: November, December, January
- 🥶 “Cold” months: January, February and December
- 🤿 Beach months: May, June, July, August, September, October and November
Looking for the best areas to stay? Here is an article that can help you: Where to Stay in Lisbon: Best Areas and Neighborhoods
What is the Peak Tourist Season in Lisbon?
- 😴 Very low season in Lisbon: January, February and March.
- 🥱 Low season in Lisbon: November and December.
- 🗣 High season in Lisbon: April, May and June.
- 💃🏻 Very high season in Lisbon: July, August, September and October.
The seasons in Lisbon
Winter in Lisbon
Winter in Lisbon almost doesn’t exist. It is not as cold as in the north of Europe.
Is it the best time to visit Lisbon? Not really.
This season is marked by episodes of heavy rainfall and wind which makes Lisbon’s winter very humid. It rains between 7 and 10 days per month during the winter in Lisbon.
Temperatures are relatively mild and rarely fall below 5°C.
The average temperature varies from 10 to 15°C between December and March.
The Azores anticyclone that influences the city’s climate allows for periods of good weather even in the middle of winter which makes winter in Lisbon pleasant.
Also don’t expect any snow in Lisbon. It almost never happened. You will not have a white Christmas.
Summer in Lisbon
Summer is very hot in Lisbon, as in the rest of Portugal and especially in the Algarve region. So be prepared!
During this season, Lisbon’s climate is very sunny and clouds are rare. Which is very enjoyable!
It is also the least rainy period with only 1 day of rain per month in July and August.
The temperatures, between 22 and 27°C in the middle of summer, are still bearable you can still feel a very light breeze.
Travelers who have trouble with the heat will enjoy Lisbon.
And if it’s too hot you can still go to the beach as there’s plenty in less than one hour from the city.
Many tourists visit the tourist spots and beaches around Lisbon such as Carcavelos or Cascais.
Swimming is ideal around Lisbon in summer. Indeed, the water temperature is about 19°C between July and September.
During this season, it is best to book your stay in advance. As a lot of tourists come during this period
Autumn in Lisbon
Autumn in Lisbon is different than autumn in northern Europe. The climate of Lisbon in autumn is divided into two periods.
The beginning of autumn, in September and October, is a pleasant period. The sun is still shining and rainfall is quite rare.
However, rainfall becomes more frequent in the Portuguese capital from mid-October until December.
November, with almost 10 days of rain, is the wettest month in the capital and the showers tend to be more intense.
Temperatures, on the other hand, remain as pleasant as ever, close to 20-23°C at the beginning of the season.
Finally, swimming in autumn is cold but possible, at least until October, with a water temperature of about 19 °C.
Spring in Lisbon
The weather in Lisbon is particularly mild in spring.
From April onwards, the temperatures gradually become milder. The mercury is between 18 and 22 °C in April-May.
Spring is one of the most pleasant seasons to visit Lisbon with a dry and sunny climate.
However, swimming will be very cool until the end of June. Indeed, the water temperature is often below 18°C in April and May.
Which is the best period to visit Lisbon off season?
The off-season in Portugal is between November until March.
If you like the calm and would like to avoid the crowded months and enjoy the mild climate in Lisbon and a calmer atmosphere, spring, and autumn are perfect.
In fact, temperatures are around 20°C in April-May and between 20 and 25°C in September/October. You can expect some rain so don’t forget to bring an umbrella.
During these periods, prices are more affordable and tourist numbers are moderate.
What are the annual events in Lisbon?
- March – Carnival Baque Virado: one of the most popular carnivals in Lisbon.
- March – Carnival Columbia Clandestina: carnival of the Alfama district, with colorful costumes and a big parade.
- June – Festas dos Santos Populares: organization of a parade where each district of the city is represented.
- June – Rock in Rio Lisboa: music festival from Brazil. It takes place every year in Lisbon since 2004 and brings together many international artists.
- June – Arraial Lisboa Pride: this parade takes place at the end of June in the heart of the city, it is both a political rally and a celebration party with DJs, parades, etc.
- October – Lisbon Marathon: a great way to discover the city for the more athletic.
- Octobe – Moda Lisboa: the fashion week of Lisbon.
- November – Alkantara Festival: international festival of dance, theater and performances with artists from all over the world.
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